10 Tips for Relatives Dealing with Dementia: How to Provide the Best Care for Your Loved One and Yourself According to The German Alzheimer Society

2023-05-03 14:00:00

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Created: 05/03/2023, 2:00 p.m

Von: Natalie Hull Drawbar

If a person close to you is diagnosed with dementia, this not only affects the life of those affected, but also that of their family. What tips can help relatives in dealing with dementia.

1 / 10A diagnosis of dementia is a shock for all family members. It is important that all the people involved who are close to the person affected find out as much as possible about the clinical picture. In this way, everyone involved can better classify the process of the disease and the associated changes. Because changes inevitably affect the whole family with dementia. Therefore, it is also important to maintain habits of those affected and things they enjoy doing for as long as possible. Be it the beloved game of chess with the grandson, the get-together with friends or the weekly choir rehearsals – whatever it is that brings joy to your family member with dementia, support them as long as you can. © Cavan Images/Imago

2 / 10As great as the grief and sadness about the sick family member – grandma, grandpa, dad or mom – may be on some days, it is all the more important that the family gets closer and seeks the little joys in everyday life. Distract those close to you as best you can, but make sure you stick to a consistent daily routine with regular routines, meals and little overwhelm. As much as possible, create a relaxed and familiar environment in which you avoid loud noises. Too many and stressful activities can unsettle people with dementia and often even make them aggressive. © Monkey Business 2/Imago

3 / 10As difficult as it can be in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, take time for quiet moments with the person concerned. Pay attention to a clear and gentle speech as well as physical contact, for example by touching hands, stroking your back or hugging – this can also calm you down. If you listen, speak and argue with your loved one who has dementia on an emotional level, then they will feel understood, for example, “That is making you very anxious”, “I see, you are really angry now” or “You feel completely alone, right.” It is best to always start a conversation with an appreciative statement, “You did that really well”, as the Alzheimer Society e. V. recommends that this creates trust on the part of those suffering from dementia, reduces fears and insecurities. © Monkey Business 2/Imago

4 / 10Try to avoid arguments, arguments and bad moods in everyday life. People suffering from dementia often argue in their own world, follow a different logic and are difficult to convince with counter-arguments. On the other hand, use distraction to resolve the conflict by starting a new topic or addressing something completely “banal”. © Jose Carlos Ichiro (Coop)/Imago

5 / 10Important and as good as possible: Stay calm as a relative of a family member suffering from dementia. Do not relate the aggression and mood swings to yourself personally. The behavior and the situation are very stressful, but ultimately it is the typical symptoms of the disease that influence the nature of the person affected. As soon as you realize that you are reaching your limits, seek help from your family doctor and appropriate advice centres. © Monkey Business 2/Imago

6 / 10Even in difficult situations and conversations, try to show understanding and be patient. Your loved one is not acting this way out of intention. People suffering from dementia often no longer react rationally, but rather impulsively and uncontrollably. It is often fear, excessive demands, stress and insecurity that lead to aggressive behavior. Be sure to remain calm, speak clearly and slowly, and use simple, short sentences. Repeat what was said and give those affected sufficient time to react. © imageBROKER/Andy Dean/Imago

7 / 10As a healthy family member, you can give guidance to your sick family member. Provide instructions where necessary, step by step. Ask questions that the patient can answer as simply as possible, for example with “yes” or “no”. Avoid W-questions such as “How?”, “Why?”, “Why?”, “When?” – this can quickly lead to overwhelm. During the course of the illness, rely on aids such as clearly legible information signs, for example on the drawers, a calendar with the current date and important messages, large clocks in the home or ultimately a walker for better mobility. Keep looking for contact with your beloved confidant, that gives him security. © Lisa F. Young/Imago

8 / 10Support the person concerned in their activities, where appropriate. Tasks such as shopping, bank transfers or other things can also be done together, or you as a relative take it over for your loved one from a certain point in time of the progressing dementia. It is important that you explain and announce this if you want to support or take on tasks. This will make your family member feel less patronized. © gulliver20 via imago-images.de/Imago

9 / 10Support the long-term memory of your loved ones with positive things: If you regularly look at photos in the family, often talk about pleasant experiences from the past, this will evoke positive feelings in the dementia sufferer for as long as possible. © imagebroker/Imago

10 / 10As hard as it may seem at first glance, it can also be important for risk reduction: people who are currently suffering from advanced dementia increasingly lose their bearings. This can also lead to them just leaving home and running somewhere. Therefore, it is best to always lock your front door from the inside when you are at home with your loved ones, and to inform other family members that they are doing the same. At the same time, you should make sure that possible sources of tripping in the house or apartment are reduced in order to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. People with dementia increasingly lose their sense of time, often getting up at night and walking around. © sarahdoow/Imago

Ob Frontotemporal Dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s dementia or Alzheimer’s – the diagnosis usually comes as a shock to those affected and their families. While the focus of diagnostics such as the mini-mental test and watch test as well as care is on the patient, it is also the loved ones and relatives for whom everyday life changes completely. So it’s not just the fact that the loved one’s nature and behavior are changing rapidly. The increasing challenge and not infrequently excessive demands on how everyday life can and should be designed with a dementia patient is also a heavy burden in some cases. It is important that relatives know how they can possibly react differently or better in certain situations in order to make the everyday life of the dementia patient easier.

Sea German Alzheimer Society e. V Most people with dementia still live in private households and in most cases are looked after and cared for by relatives, especially spouses, daughters or daughters-in-law. This requires a lot of commitment and the willingness to accompany and support “around the clock” if necessary. Sooner or later this can become a real burden for many relatives – they then often neglect themselves in order to be completely with their loved one. But the German Alzheimer Society e. V advises relatives of people with dementia: “In order to be able to take good care of others, I have to be well myself.”

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.